I used long webby hackle feathers for the claws and the tail. Sorry, I don't know what kind. I've had it for YEARS, the bag was unmarked. Some kind of brown hen hackle.

The body is brown chenille, hackle wrapped over the body, cut a strip of clear plastic, then wrapped that w/ a thin silver wire. Nothing fancy. I used turkey feather for the antenna. The tail is just a hackle tip.

Afish-yeah it casts a bit heavy. It's workable, but I definitely want to get some lighter eyes. I just used what I had laying around for the entire tie. It'll be a "bottom bouncing crayfish"!

My suggestion would be to put the lead eyes near the eye of the hook. It will keep your crayfish in a defensive position. I don't think the look of eyes in that important on them as much as how they move in the water. I think yours would move with its claws pointed down when you strip it. I tied one in a similar manner and that is what I had found. Might not be that big of deal. I would try one with the weight at the eye and see what you think. Cast them both out. I like the hackle claws but one thing i noticed when i tied one similar to that the hackle is really tough to see in the water, and is why I went with the brown hackle. Ill send you a pic of the hackle claws crayfish i tried.

Posted on: 2013/7/18 8:25

_________________
"There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process."

The hackle is really tough to see, that's why you went with the brown hackle?

Did you mean, that's why you went with the brown marabou? I kept thinking about switching it up and trying marabou. Maybe I will on a couple of them.

I get what you're saying about putting the weight in the arse of the crayfish. I just couldn't bring myself to put the eyes at the anus I think what I'll do is, when I get lighter eyes I'll weight the back end of the fly near the eye with lead wraps.

Thanks t-bert. I actually did look up the clouser crayfish last night! I don't have any of the furry foam, but I like the pattern a lot.

I'll have a couple of hours tomorrow evening to whip up a few more flies for Saturday's float. I'll probably stick with this crayfish pattern for now, see how it does, and adjust from there. I'll tie one up w/ marabou claws too, and with a little less weight. The heavy weight, I feel like I have a good chance at getting a carp to suck it up.

I'm also tying up that white bunny thing. I really like that idea. I'll try to post a picture of that beast when I'm done. Also a bunch of black buggers. I should be set. Thanks for the ideas, everyone.

Your claws are a bit larger and thicker than the ones I had made but just something to think about before tying up a bunch of them.

I found that having the heavy lead eyes near the eye also ensured that the fly kept the hook point up wich is important if you are dredging the bottom. It will sit at a decent angle on the bottom and help reduce snags if you are pausing between strips. I would pick my tip up a bit and strip the line quick to pick up the crayfish and then let off tension to allow it to sink back down, much how people fish soft plastic craws. When you do this the fly will then have its claws pointed up as it sinks back down, in a defensive position. If you use marabou when it is sinking again the marabou will wiggle around a bit. Not like a real crayfish but that movement can help trigger a stike. When you are stripping the crayfish the marabou with be pulled tight an and look more natural, your claws will look natural no matter how you fish the fly and can see why you would be hesitant about using it.

Posted on: 2013/7/18 9:35

_________________
"There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process."

Hi,I'd go with a popper:I'd take a bass hook (any reasonable size) tie the olive marabou for a tail, Grizzly hackle flared outward and canted slightly downward to drag in the water as legs, Body of black Chennile wrapped 5/8ths-3/4s the way toward the eye. Olive deer hair spun to the eye. Tie off. Then shape a torpedo head, slightly flared collar just behind, and behind collar trim hair to chennile dimension. It should sink slightly at the rear with lots of swishy action and bob up front.

1-lots of turkey feathers (thanks to BradfromPotter)2-Zonker strips-white and black3-Chennille in yellow, brown, black, and olive4-Maribou in olive and brown5-bucktail in chartruce, yellow, white, and olive6-led eyes7-various big hackles in black, brown, and grizzly

What kind of fun stuff would you attempt to make from this limited list of supplies? I have no beads (Shakey told me it's bait fishing if I use beads).

haha! i said spin fishing,but same thing!!

you have all the fixings for a Mcginty,if you sub turkey for mallard wings!!